Mum loneliness’s- is it just me?

[Lou5290]

We’ve recently moved to a new area for my husband’s job, and I’ve been making a big effort to try and find a new community of mums to socialise with. My daughter is 18 months and I look after her full time. I feel as though I’ve exhausted all options trying to meet new mums- local stay and plays, children’s centre, The Mum Club, even Peanut- but it’s proving really difficult to make any kind of connection with anyone. It seems like the local mums have already found their community and it’s hard to join- despite my best efforts at small talk! I’m a very sociable person and haven’t had this issue before, so it’s come as a bit of a shock. Has anyone had this before? I’m finding it incredibly lonely and I’m worried it’s starting to take its toll a bit on my self esteem. Any advice?! Thanks 😊

You definitely aren’t alone in feeling like this. Finding a connection is hard when friendships already seem to be formed; I am having the same problem at school, but it doesn’t mean that they can’t be. Have you invited anyone for a walk around the park, or over to yours for a coffee? That can sometimes spark something.

I really understand this as I struggled too and I actually knew lots of people in the area. Have you tried meeting people in a non mum capacity? So local clubs, events etc? For example a book club, running group, social club. I know it won't help in the short term with the mum side. But may give you a boost and people often lead to people. When little one is in nursery or school there are opportunities then.
Is a bit of work an option? That's another way to get an in with people in your new area.
Good luck with it. New friends can take a while to find and I've found post Covid people seem even less inclined.